Thorpe Bay Yacht Club

Tel: 01702 587 563

On the 13th June, three boats from the club turned up to sail the biggest catamaran race in the world, with approx 580 boats from twelve different countries on the beach at Texel in Holland. As usual getting off the beach was bad as usual due to the surf. This was my third year, the first time was back in 05 when most boats was destroyed, RFT ‘s included, only 80 boats completed the course that year.

Nick & Kyle on the F20, Pete Sherwin and crew Mark, plus Wayne and I on our Hurricanes joined the 9am early morning start line after successfully launching our kites to break free of the surf in very light F1-2 winds.
Web link for pictures: http://www.roundtexel.com/Default.asp?xlid=en

The start had nearly 500 boats, some decided not to go in the light winds or to attempt getting off the beach. As the race organizes had warned off closing the gates if timed out.
Unfortunately for Pete, he was a casualty at the second gate along with hundreds more and had to sail all the way back, which took nearly as long as doing the whole race.

Wayne and I had a good result for us being 98th boat home but after handicap 223rd but a great result for Nick and Kyle who were 9th boat home on the water and 56th overall on there first Round Texel race, Well done guy’s

Here’s to 2010, just don’t tell the wife

Last weekend in light winds, 4 tbyc boats made the journey to Marconi SC.
Kyle Stoneham and Ollie Herve used Kyle’s Tornado for around the cans racing on the Saturday and won 3rd place out of 35 boats, well-done guys.

Then on the Sunday the weather decided to play tricks with little wind and horrible fog with a variable F3 due to come in. The 3x Piers race stretches for 50 miles up and back down Essex coast from Osea pier to Walton pier. The race officer decided to delay for half an hour to let the fog lift enough to see the water and the wind to fill in.

Neither happened, so the race was started with the intention to shorten course at Colne point. A slow start for everybody, all looking for advantage of tide and wind to get ahead.
At one point, Chris Brooks on Hurricane 307 had the advantage closely followed by Nick and Kyle on the F20, with Kylie and I, Chris Hull and Simon chasing. This was Kylies first open event and long distance race and it was good to see the amount of alcohol such a small person can consume and still stand-up from the night before BBQ.

Lucky for me, having such a light crew was to pay off dividends, All the way up and down the course the Hurricane’s were within 300yds off each other it was at the Colne turning point that Kylie and I started to lead the pack, Most went directly down and were swept out but we cannily, gybe back in shore and had a good angle to power up and be on course for first Hurricane home on the piers race. If only I had read the race instructions properly, Next time Kylie, just kick me. We were home and dry but my mistake lost us 4 places at the finish.

Well done to Nick and Kyle, once the wind picked up a bit the F20 got flying and they got back in double quick time finishing 3rd over the line and 18th on handicap. Simon Steptoe on his F20 was going to join in the fun but had to drop out at the last moment, luckily for us he decided to join in on the BBQ and bring the wine, Most appreciated mate.

Congratulations to Kyle Stoneham on his Third place overall in the Nationals at North Devon Yacht Club – Instow.

Kyle managed a very good set of results despite the light and flukey conditions that prevailed in a heavy tidal estuary. For a full set of results please follow this link www.sprint15.com

We should be especially proud of Kyle as he is pure home grown talent, getting most of his experience from sailing around the Thames Estuary in all weathers and all states of the tide, from a very young age.

Team TB want to wish Kyle the best of  luck with the forthcoming Tornado Europeans in Weymouth.

To be held at the Island Yacht Club, Canvey Island on 19th and 20th September 2009

Fast cats up to 1.070  (Hurricane SX and Shadows have already booked)

This is one of the best value for money open meetings!  Wine with your meal and a free BBQ on the Sunday.

Free Hook up and Camping

For further details go to www.islandyachtclub.co.uk

Well done David White and Adam Piggott, sailing at Brightlingsea Regfest, They were made Spitfire junior national champions and came second overall one point behind the winner at the Open, would that be a mention on the board I wonder?
This last weekend at Grafham, Hugh styles phoned him and asked to sail with him on hugh’s boat and they had 4 bullets a second and a sixth, however unfortunately the first two races were disqualified cos they went through the start line downwind (hugh was driving) so they didn’t win the event – they need to be helped through that!He had a good weekend though, said he learn’t a lot but needs to talk to Kyle on what he was doing wrong (Only Kidding). Well done David it seems the cat section of TBYC are doing well representing the club around the country.

Well done to Howard Hawkes for winning the Sprint 15 northern championships.

Dear Catamaran and Dingy fleets doing the winter series, you need to register now! to take part but best off all we have some willing crew available, these two guys, Simon Brown and Garry Ellis are looking for more sailing experience and are newish members to the club. Drop me a line and I’ll pass on contact details or pop into the club and look on the notice board. Here’s to some cracking winter sailing, God knows it’s got to be better than this summer. Regards,  Struan

Enjoy the film, Camera work by Glen.

Hi All cat sailors and interested parties, I’ve posted some Hurricane videos and Nicks F20 shot by Glen on youtube, have a look.

I’ve just put some sailing videos on youtube, have a look.